July 7, 2026 -- Proverbs 13:10 -- Living in True Community

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 ESV
 
Who is the insolent person? One who is unable to take advice or correction. His sneering behavior breaks community. There is a defensive rudeness that surrounds him in posture and speech. Strife follows as those who’ve experienced the rudeness of the insolent person. It draws out a reaction which includes matching rudeness for rudeness.
 
It is a bit harder to get a handle on the second phrase. Those who take advice are the people who, when corrected, when their sins are pointed out to them, will receive it humbly. The Amplified Bible translates it this way: “But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.”
 
A friend of mine, who spends a lot of time with his grandson, had just explained to his grandson the importance of truth-telling. A little while later his grandson caught him in a lie. Rather than blowing up or getting defensive (displaying insolence to his tender grandson); he admitted his error and asked for forgiveness and did what he could to undo the impact of the lie. Why mention this? Well, living with an attitude that welcomes counsel can only be instilled in us by a living, active relationship with God.
 
God our Father uses the most unlikely people and circumstances to correct us. Are you open to hearing His reproof given to you through the person of His choosing? Jesus made the way open for us to live in community. As we are forgiven in Christ, so we extend to and receive from one another forgiveness. The Holy Spirit brings people together into true community humbling and gifting us so that we can both offer and receive golden, godly wisdom from one another.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for Your tender, persistent, lovingkindness mixed with patience, which lifts me from the stupor of insolence. Thank You for the people You have put into my life who can comment and correct me and then celebrate with me the changes brought about through Jesus’ reconciling work. Ah, faithful God, lead us in community so that we will grow and mature in Christ. Thank You, glorious Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through Whom we are knit together and enabled to sharpen one another for holy service. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/u-ZAQwXZ7YQ?si=7jPgbkyfAYaosKeu Lord of Eternity
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

July 6, 2026 -- Proverbs 13:6 -- Spiritual guardrails in your life

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked. Proverbs 13:6 ESV
 
Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, as you read Proverbs with me, you’ll see how verses from previous passages, placed next to current passages, can bless the reader and give deeper clarity on what was written. For example, as you read today’s passage, you might ask how is it that righteousness guards him whose way is blameless? Solomon wrote “keep your father’s commandment” and “forsake not your mother’s teaching” (6:20) then he added:
When you walk, they (your father’s commandments/your mother’s teaching) will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will talk with you. (Proverbs 6:22 ESV)
 
All of us have a “soundtrack” running through our brains. It is the constant narrative of approval, disapproval, disappointment, bad self-talk and so on. What does the Word of God do? It is instruction in holiness, a.k.a. righteousness which is Spirit-fueled holiness acted our in our daily life. Righteousness is the clothing of Jesus’ perfect obedience given to us when He took our sin, our guilt, our past and our shame and was punished for these at the cross. Righteousness is the desire then to go where the Spirit leads us as we live in obedience to Jesus.
 
Think of how often you lie down on the couch to watch a movie which is violent, or contrary to God’s Word. Or spend hours gaming while your children are missing out on precious time with dad or mom…or worse, learning by your example to game and shut out the world. The commandments of God and the teaching of your mother when these are heard and put into practice lead you in the way of life in Christ.
 
Of course, I know I have readers who did not, or do not have godly fathers or mothers. Then the reference goes to the person, or people God placed in your life who are serving in their stead. Your spiritual father, or your spiritual mother, the ones who led you in the way of God, their instruction in the ways of God will be clear direction in life.
 
Think about how radically your life changes if you were to listen more closely to the words of life given to you in the Bible! It is righteousness that guards you in the way that is blameless. It is righteousness that shines like the dawn, bringing more light as the day progresses, drawing others to the light of Christ radiating outwards from the Spirit’s presence in you.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the righteousness that is mine in Christ. Thank You for the wholesome work of the Spirit, Who is guarding me in the way that is blameless. Forgive me for the times I chafe against the cords of Your lovingkindness and push against the guardrails of Your protection around me. Mighty God, fill my thoughts, to fullness and overflowing, with the awareness of Your majesty, Your goodness, Your love, Your compassion, so that I will always want to be, and will always be guarded in my every step with You. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/CmNXeReZqAg?si=_djfMS2p2Mr-U4c- Be Still My Soul
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

July 5, 2026 -- Matthew 16:15 -- How do you answer the question: "Who is Jesus"?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? Matthew 16:15 ESV
 
Have you explored Who Jesus Is? Yes, you individually, have you asked that question? Have you turned over that question in your mind and pondered it in your heart? The way you answer the question informs how you live. If you think of Jesus merely as fire insurance, that is, as the One Who keeps you from hell while basically allowing you to do your own thing, you have not answered the question correctly.

1. Those who are part of the Church of Jesus the Messiah, are those who speak His Name with adoration. To break out into songs declaring His goodness. Public worship draws you in, because you love to meet with other believers. You listen to sermons because you know the word as it is explained helps you to know Jesus, upon Whom the whole bible is centred. You have morning, or evening devotions, that is bible reading and prayer—because your life is bound up with Jesus.

2. Believers in Jesus Christ, know that their past sinful lives will have a strong pull on their current lives. Sin is pleasurable. The devil was never a dummy. He’ll wave before your eyes the pleasures of sin. Speak to your mind about how you’re missing out if you obey Jesus, instead of indulging your whims and following through on your pleasurable temptations. Those who believe in Jesus hear the temptations of the devil and know those are vicious lies which would lead a follower of Jesus to slide from Him into the ways of wickedness. To obey the tempter is to bring disgrace and discredit to the Name of Jesus. But as we noted in the first point, the adoration of Jesus, thinking about His greatness and His love that rescued us from our sin, leads us to hate our sin and begin to walk in the way of salvation.

3. Those who answer the question correctly, knowing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, bear witness to His goodness. They can’t help but declare His goodness. It is obvious even to the men who are incarcerated. I have guys who are always inviting others to come to chapel services or Overcomers Meetings. They are aware of the goodness of God and can’t help but make sure others know the invitation is open. This is the work of God in the life of those to whom the Spirit of God has revealed Jesus as precious, glorious, the Redeemer.

 
Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Let that confession of Who You are always be a source of joyful contemplation for me, and the awe-filled reason motivating wholehearted obedient service to You. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/srZ9IGsFy4o?si=uXwOzWwfu7ssU1nd Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
 

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July 4, 2026 -- Matthew 16:1-4 -- The most unlikely converts

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
Matthew 16:1-4 ESV
 
The Pharisees and Sadducees had witnessed miracles already. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, and demons were cast out of those who’d been possessed. So, what would be a greater sign from heaven? The greatest sign was standing right in front of them: Jesus the Son of God, incarnate. He is the love of God sent from heaven to rescue lost and ruined sinners. They missed the sign. Worse, they refused to acknowledge Jesus!
 
What is the “sign of Jonah?” He was a prophet who didn’t preach to the nation of Israel, because the hardness of the people’s hearts. They wouldn’t listen. He was sent to Nineveh—the enemies of God’s people. The hardness of Israel’s heart provided opportunity for Gentiles, non-Jewish people, to receive the word of the LORD and repent. And, in fact, the Ninevites did receive the love of God. It was recorded that the Ninevites, from the king on his throne, to the most menial worker, all repented.
 
It serves as a warning to us today. Is you heart open to the Gospel? Are you listening to Jesus? Or is your heart hard to the Gospel message? I urge you, recognize Jesus as the ultimate sign from heaven, the greatest evidence EVER of the radiant love of God. Open your heart, and your arms, to the most unexpected converts. (Let’s face it, if God set His love on you, why wouldn’t He love others as well? God is in the business of saving sinners.) Jonah himself was hardened. He was so upset that God in His great mercy had saved his enemies, the Ninevites. (Now, who does that sound like? You? Me? Of course it does. How do we know for sure that Jonah repented and changed his ways? Jonah wrote the prophetic book which is in the Old Testament, the one which bears his name, Jonah. He was a stubborn prophet, whose heart was changed by the lovingkindness of God, and he had to tell everyone.
 
Merciful Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus, the sign from heaven, Who radiates Your love and justice. Spirit of God, open our hearts to every person You bring to our fellowships, missions and churches. Forgive us the many times we have tried to shut the door behind us, unwilling to see Your saving grace reach the people we think are our enemies. Let our hearts be filled with the mercy of our Father in heaven, our minds ready to disciple others in the way of Jesus, and by the Spirit’s work in us, disciple one another until we all grow up into Christ, the Head. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/BY6VAy9y_iQ?si=KEnAUMnnI7vkrD1x Jesus, Friend of Sinners
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 30, 2026 -- Proverbs 13:5 -- Falsehood, you say you hate it, but do you really?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
Proverbs 13:5 ESV
 
Falsehood obviously means false words. But it also means false actions, whatever is not in line with the Word and will of God. It is hypocrisy in any form. This is particularly painful for me as Christian denominations send missionaries around the globe, excited for new converts, while at the same time are false in their treatment of converts at home. As a missionary to the prisons, this is my painful experience. Men and women who have made credible professions of faith to Jesus, have been excluded from churches. Such actions bring shame and disgrace to glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
This month’s Table Talk focuses on the theme of spiritual gifts. Jonathan Landry Cruse comments:
So it is the Spirit who does the work of forming the church. Interestingly, He includes
in the membership of the church people that you and I would easily disregard. Paul says that we are all baptized into one body, whether “Jews or Greeks, slaves or free.” These were the greatest divides in the ancient world, the people who held one another in greatest disdain. Who are those for you? Whoever they are, it is not beyond the Spirit to bring them into the church with you, or you into the church with them.
Table Talk, ed. Thomas Brewer. July 2026, Vol.50, No. 7, “Many Members, One Body”, J. L. Cruse, page 8.
It is my experience that the leaders and members of local “Christian” churches are the most prejudiced against those who have been incarcerated. Whereas Jews and Greeks, slaves or free used to be the classes of people who received greatest disdain in the ancient world, today, those who are, or who have been incarcerated, are treated with greatest contempt. What is worse, those who have made a credible profession of faith while incarcerated, are nevertheless ignored by many congregations. It is actively bringing shame to the lovely work of Christ at the cross. It grieves me deeply, knowing that the Spirit’s sanctification and giftings given to currently and formerly incarcerated men and women could open for local congregations whole new opportunities for gospel growth; but their contribution is treated with disgrace. As was required in ancient times, so is required today, may God’s Spirit break our stubborn pride, plow up our entrenched fears, and allow the reconciling grace of Jesus Christ to move among us all.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the reconciling grace of Jesus Christ by which Your Spirit plowed up the hard ground of our own hearts and planted in us the powerful seed of the word. Thank You for Your patience with us, hardened sinners, better suited for hell than for the pews, which would not let us go until wretches such as we have become believers whose only boast is in Christ. Forgive us, patient Sovereign, for holding out one hand to receive more grace, while with the other we strive to firmly close the door in the face of others who frighten us, those who are not like us, or those who would change us. Give us to the holy confidence that You know Your holy purposes. Teach us humbleness of heart so that we will welcome all You bring to us and with them, we would grow in maturity in Christ, Who is the Head of the Church. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/-44GH3NhdIA?si=MgYCbLFFEB-sAYJx I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 29, 2026 -- Proverbs 13:1 -- The power of an appropriate rebuke

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

A wise son hears his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:1 ESV
 
Why do Christians need to be rebuked? BTW, to be rebuked is to receive sharp disapproval, or strong words of correction. Think about who is writing this proverb. King Solomon. His heart was led astray by his 700 wives and 300 concubines. For them he built temples and altars to pagan gods. He knows whereof he speaks when he wrote “a scoffer does not listen to rebuke”. I wonder how many of his officials and priests railed against him for these wicked projects? He ignored them.
 
Sin skews our sense of right and wrong. It is such a basic truth, but it plays out so obviously in real life. Sin collapses reality so that more Sin seems inconsequential. Praise God for the clarity of the Word.
 
Where do you need to be rebuked? Where are you allowing sin to gain a foothold, while simultaneously ignoring what you know is right? In Matthew 4, Jesus’ first preached words were “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). If you know where you’re ignoring wise instruction, turn from that sin and return to God. The grace of God is such He will, by the Spirit’s work convict you of sin while presenting to you Jesus Christ. Jesus was punished in your place for your sin, and His righteousness has been imputed to you. Receive it with thanksgiving as you glorify God.
 
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
   Stanza 1, My Jesus I Love Thee
   Attributed to William R. Featherston (Canada, 1846-1873)
 
https://youtu.be/4oVwY8q31s0?si=vi-U-a4VnlursGE9 My Jesus I Love Thee
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 28, 2026 -- Matthew 15:29 -- After brokenness, full, wonderful restoration

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there.

Matthew 15:29 ESV
 
Jesus is by the Sea of Galilee and the mountain nearby that place is called Mt. Tabor. You wouldn’t necessarily know that place. But the Jewish people would. It is a place that is significant because the female Judge of Israel, Deborah, assembled the people at Mt. Tabor and with the general, Barak, they went on to defeat their enemies. Then their enemies were Sisera (the general of the army), the army of the Canaanites, all of whom were ruled by Israel’s enemy, King Jabin (Judges 4). It was a huge victory for the people of God and Deborah sang unto the LORD. It is the picture of God’s people rescued by God appropriately celebrating His goodness.
 
However, Mt. Tabor is also a place of humiliation and defeat. According to the prophet Hosea, Mt. Tabor is the place where the people spread out offerings in their worship to false gods. They shamefully bowed themselves to the very gods who in the past had been defeated by the LORD. Mt. Tabor became a place of humiliation. It was a place of historic shame that reverberated to the present. Why would Jesus go there?
 
Jesus saves the people who can’t save themselves. He goes up that mountain of shame, of defeat, to bring His victory to the place of Israel’s humiliation and wickedness. The people were locked in their union with evil and Jesus broke the curse. He preached (which is what is indicated when he sat down—the posture of preachers in those days). He broke the curse as He healed all those brought to Him. As it was then, so it is today, Jesus frees His people from the curse of sin. He lifts the eyes of His people from condemnation and shame and grants them a measure of glory. In Jesus Christians are counted as sons and daughters of the Living God. In Jesus Christians are given the powerful Holy Spirit to live in them so that sin can not rule believers and cast them back to everlasting ruin. In Jesus believers recognize the very sins which once held them captive, the source of their shame, has become the place where the power of God was made evident and it is the place where they declare:
I bless You, O Lord, my God. You have rescued me from death.
You have broken the curse of sin and shame.
You have reconciled me to Yourself through Jesus.
You have given me new life.
Blessed be Your Name O God, because added to all these great blessings You have added the gift of the Holy Spirit, by Whom I am united to You, so that Satan can never again control my life.
Glorious Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the crowning blessing of all, is to belong to You, and be secure in the knowledge that eternity will be such joy indescribable and wondrous because it will be the place where I can fully be in Your presence. You Yourself, Mighty God, are the richest blessing. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/4oVwY8q31s0?si=Okkbvwuz7LmpgneT My Jesus, I Love Thee
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 27, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:26 -- How'd I get here?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26 ESV
 
How did I get here? It is the plaintive cry of men I meet with in the prisons. Though many around them could see exactly where they were headed, how their wicked companions and deceitful friends would lead them astray, those being led often didn’t see past the deadly amusement of the moment. Many of us know the maxim show me a man’s companions and I’ll tell you about that man’s character. Who you hang out with influences you far more than you realize. We readily say things like, “well, at least I’m not like that person, or those bad people.” Incarcerated or not, there is a commonly held unwillingness to examine one’s motives and actions against the only standard which matters: Jesus. When we look to Him, we realize the truth of the Word: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23
 
One possible translation of Proverbs 12:26 could be: the righteous guides his friend. I like that. As Jesus is a friend of sinners, Who by His Spirit leads us in the way of righteousness, as followers of Jesus Christ we are to be friends to those around us, leading them in the way of righteousness. Righteousness is holiness in action. Righteousness is living for Jesus with whole-hearted commitment. We’ve already seen the consequences of deceitfulness and ruin wickedness brings; so it is an honour and a joy to live for Jesus! It is an even greater joy to walk with others and be used of God to lead them in the paths of righteousness.
 
Faithful God—my Shield and very Great Reward, I am weak and weary, send Your Spirit to revive me so that I am renewed in my whole-hearted, wholly joyful obedience to Jesus. Triune God, as I walk in step with You, let me be a guide in righteousness to friends and family members. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/TxC16duiHvQ?si=lsxn747wz9GOV89O O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer


 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 25, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:18-19 -- What are you speaking? Are you truthful?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:18-19 ESV
 
It is confusing, right? It seems like these little, pithy sayings are just pushed together. I can totally relate. So, I have made a commitment to work my way through Proverbs, so that I can hear what God is saying; apply it while examining myself to see if I am walking with integrity according to the insights received.
 
At verse 5 we are instructed how one thinks influences how one speaks. Sometimes a person is accused of speaking thoughtlessly. However, it is more likely that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart—whatever it is that has been filling your thoughts (even if you are not paying attention to what you’re thinking) that is what you’ll be spewing from your mouth.
 
Rash words are ill-advised, as a sword slashes which cut wildly and wound cruelly, so rash words cause lasting damage, physical, spiritual, emotional. And such rash words often are lying words as well. There is a difference between a doctor’s scalpel and a warrior’s sword. One is precise. Cuts away what is deadly. The other cuts away, hacking at everything while giving full vent to fury. The promise is that the rash, lying tongue will soon be brought down to the grave.
 
Those who are in Christ will speak wise words. Those who are in Christ will be stopped in their anger and brought to repentance. Their lips, once rash like the wicked, will be transformed by the Spirit so that words of truth and healing will flow. Fellow Christians, who call out the ill-advised words, will be heeded and healing will begin. Healing that flows from heaven and restores relationship with God, and relationship among the people of God. Our Father in heaven spoke truly when before the foundation of the world He decreed to rescue people in His beloved Son, Jesus. Jesus spoke truly, whoever loves me, loves Him Who sent Me. The Spirit speaks truly, revealing to us the purposes of God for our salvation. The one who belongs to the Triune God, will seek to take the truth of God and receive it, submitting to it into the deepest part of his heart.
 
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 ESV
 
https://youtu.be/7J3fjLQwq0E?si=HYE2NCPRyO1psKde Amazing Grace
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 24, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:5, 17 -- Whatcha thinking about? Seriously? Do you even know?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The thoughts of the righteous are just
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
Proverbs 12:5,17 ESV
 
This pair of proverbs demonstrates the clear link between what one thinks and what one says. The thoughts of the righteous lead to speaking the truth. The true and honest evidence he gives may be costly. His honest answer may well expose his own past wrongdoing. But it is more important to lay one’s heart bare to the LORD, Who sees all, than allow wicked thoughts to have free range in your mind.
 
What are the thoughts and advice of wicked people? Deceitful. The word deceit also carries with it the sense of being treacherous—a danger to oneself and others. The guilt of the treacherous person increases with every thought and action.
 
People I meet with in prison, often complain “Why do I always wind up in the same mess?” (To be honest, you don’t have to be incarcerated to find yourself winding up in the same mess over and over again.) The answer can be found in the thought-processes of the heart and the soundtrack that runs through your brain.
 
Most of us have an on-going stream of words, thoughts, ideas flowing through our head. This stream of consciousness usually has no filter. So many of thoughts are informed by sinful urges. The honest man, the man of integrity, constantly pours into his brain good food for better thoughts. Examples of “good feeds”: the Bible; advice of godly friends; thinking about the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ—through Whom the formerly deceitful man has been made righteous.
 
What are you thinking about when you’re not thinking about anything at all?
 
Faithful Father, help me to gain eternal profit by what I read in the Word. Let the fountains of blessing pour living water into my dry and weary soul. By the instruction of the Bible, teach me to have the mind of Christ. Help me to submit my mind and heart to the Holy Spirit so that the Word of Truth will work its way right to the source of all my thinking and impulses. Purify me so that thought and word, impulse and action, are wholly aligned with Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/igV63aKSqb8?si=ii09xShwj_vqz0X0 Spirit of God Descend Upon my Heart
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 23, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:16 -- What is vexation? How does it affect my faith?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

16  The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version
(Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Proverbs 12:16.
 
As an English major, I must confess I love the sound of that word “vexation”. It describes a particular kind of anger a person feels. When a man thinks he is utterly in the right, and someone smashes against his smug pride with clear and honest words vexation describes that self-deceived person’s sputters and rages. He doesn’t take on board the possibility he is wrong; he digs in even deeper into his opinions of himself, with less integrity and less reason to do so.
A prudent man applies wisdom to the circumstances of his life. He hears criticism and repents. He withstands baseless arguments, holding his stance as a man of integrity, while as much as it depends on himself, keeping open the lines of communication. It looks like the insult is ignored; but the response is a combination of love and self-control. Let me explain.
 
When someone is a new believer in Jesus Christ, his ability to love others is expanded. In Jesus a believer’s sins are forgiven. The Father in heaven adopts him (or her) as a beloved child. Such love allows a man to hear insults and correction without immediately having to retaliate because he knows the height and width, breadth and length of God’s love being poured out on him and ever guarded in him by the Holy Spirit. Love bears all things (I Corinthians 13:7), insults, wrong-doing, and chirping, because one knows behind all of this is a deeper matter that needs to be reconciled.
 
Furthermore, a believer, who is a new creation in Christ, exercises the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control. You can see how that is completely different from the fool whose prickly irritability is immediately known by all. The self-controlled person, the man or woman who is submitted to the Holy Spirit, will know the wrong he is enduring is wrong, but have confidence that the God of justice and mercy, will one day, do what is right and rectify even this hard circumstance. And everyone who sees God’s judgment at the end of all time and history will say: “What God has done is perfect and just! Blessed be His Name forever and ever. Amen.”
 
God of love and justice, mercy and truth, by the work of Your Spirit in me, cause me to grow and mature in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the constant lovingkindness and patient endurance You show to me for the sake of Christ, Your Son, my Redeemer. From the depths of that patient love, teach me to live with others exercising holy patience and kindness which is seasoned with self-control. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/Cz4oe3v0m04?si=oNyG13rkWYyTQC9Z Psalm 42
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 22, 2026 -- Matthew 15:21-22, 28 -- Demon oppression and victory in Jesus!

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:21-22, 28 ESV
 
We don’t know what it means that the daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. In Scripture we know of a dad, whose demon oppressed son would throw himself into the fire (Matthew 17:14ff). We know of demon-possessed men who lived among the tombs who cut themselves til they bled (Matthew 8:28ff). We know of a woman who attended the synagogue for 18 years, though Satan had afflicted her back with a twisting pain (Luke 1:10-17). Whatever it was, this mother was devastated by her daughter’s condition and pursued Him, Who is the Sun of Righteousness Who has healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
 
Demon oppression is different from demon possession. If one is demon possessed, a representative of the hosts of hell lives in that person. The person has been so given over to evil that the demonic controls his thoughts and mind and actions. It is a devastating condition. Demon oppression is different in that it is demonic forces which are still outside of a person working to attack him. There can be hallucinations. Pain. Sickness. Mental instability. Lies can seem very convincing. It is important to note that a believer can not be demon possessed. But a believer can be demon oppressed.
 
Demon oppression can also happen by invitation. A believer who dabbles in sin, or toys with it, will be welcoming tremendous oppression by demons. It is the work of Satan to destroy Christians. The Devil can not personally attack God in any way; he is too finite and the LORD of Hosts is infinite. The Devil is merely a created being that once didn’t exist and one day will be thrown into hell forever, he can’t in any way touch or affect God. However, the Devil will then seek to devour Christians. He will attack. He will lie. He will invite people back into old sins and former habits. Tantalizing them with lies they already know to be lies, but which aim at the vile, iniquitous desires of the heart.
 
No wonder former addicts return to their bottles, or needles. They are vulnerable to the oppression of the enemy because of their former eagerness to find and use. When a man or a woman has been made clean in Christ, the severity of the past battles have been exposed. To remain pure, one must abide in Christ and be vigilant every hour of every day. Previous areas of spiritual battle can now be weak-points, chinks in one’s armour against sin.
 
Whatever sin it is that has been ascendant will constantly assert itself against your faith. Gluttony. Sexual sins. Pride. Anger, Lust. Pornography. Unholy music. Vile movies. Slander. Meddling. Hatred for parents. Rebelliousness. Sin will have so weakened you, that you must wholly rely on Christ to keep you safe. In fact, if you could fight sin on your own, you would not need Jesus. The Bible, written for believers, constantly calls out sinful actions, and out-of-alignment-with-God thoughts precisely because these will always tempt believers. No wonder Paul said, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). The more we give into sin, trying to fight the spiritual battle with worldly tools and attitudes, more we’ll be oppressed by such sins.

Dear fellow believer, look at the passage again. How easily Jesus asserted His All-Mighty power over hell. At His Word, the demon oppression was instantly conquered. Be encouraged, Jesus is your strong shield and defender.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for Love Incarnate, Jesus. Lord Jesus, in the areas of my life that are most vulnerable to attack, or I am easily charmed by sin’s deceitfulness, direct Your Spirit to be the guardian of my soul. Triune God, You are the foundation of my salvation, the victory in every step, and my only hope for a future as one who overcomes in the power of Jesus; keep me humble in my obedience, joyful in the Lord, and confident You are there with me, whether or not I can feel Your presence. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/VphMpFKb0o0?si=TrARA0Jc5stXfR0N There Rings Through the Clouds
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 20, 2026 -- Matthew 15:10, 18-20 -- Gross sinners, washed, sanctified (that includes you)

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And he [Jesus] called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person”…"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 15:10, 18-20 ESV
 
On Wednesday, while teaching this material, and then in a prison while teaching Bible, this passage was in focus. I am speaking to men who are in the study who have committed murder. They are dangerous men; there is no doubt of that. Notice how evil thoughts is the root of the problem, because evil thoughts flow from a heart that is iniquitous. That is a heart which is out of alignment with God and His laws. Murder, according to Jesus, includes cursing your brother, hating your sister, or calling someone you fool! Ah, on that scale, which one of us is innocent? Not one of us!
 
What is the roadmap forward? Interestingly, Paul, formerly called Saul when he was a murderer and hater of Christians, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you” (I Corinthians 6:9-11a) stop. When a man looks lustfully at a woman, he has committed adultery. Revilers—ouch. Those are people who slander others, who mock at what is holy, whose evil thoughts and opinions are not anchored to the Truth of the Word of God. It is a broad category. It applies to so many of us, dear readers!
 
Who among us should have any hope? We will easily find ourselves on that list, unless we are completely blinded by our own sin, unable to smell the putrefaction spilling over into our speeches and dogging our steps. Remember, a murderer is writing this. Paul was a profoundly uncomfortable character in that early church. Think of it, many people in those early churches would have had family members arrested by him, or know people he, by the power of the religious authorities, had put to death. How could anyone on that list of I Corinthians 6:9-11a hope to find peace with God? They’d be reviling Paul, who wrote this material (yes, the Spirit led him to write it, but humanly speaking, they’d want to hate him).  Read on. “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11).
 
Why is it Christians welcome others? It is the work of Jesus Christ. He has washed us. Unless you know the full extent of your wickedness and your need for cleansing, you will always seek the close the door of God’s great grace behind you. You’d constantly try to shut people out of the kingdom, in your pride, you are on the wrong side of that door. Pride is an abomination to the LORD of Glory. Read on:

• "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." Proverbs 8:13

• "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." James 4:6

• These are just two examples of approximately thirty you can find in the Bible.

Why is it Christians welcome others, who they know were horrendous sinners? Because we know the washing of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. In reverent awe we declare, “welcome you, who like us, know the depths of God’s love and Jesus’ reconciling work”. On Wednesday, and at that in-prison Bible Study, there were times of holy silence. As the glorious work of God, His matchless mercy and great compassion, and saving grace touched hearts. Today’s prayer is from a song, popular just over a decade ago, by Casting Crowns.
 
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in Your name
But the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners
The truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You
But they're trippin' over me
Always lookin' around, but never lookin' up
I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands
And a heart divided
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world
At the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners
Break our hearts for what breaks Yours
Casting Crowns: Jesus, Friend of Sinners
 
https://youtu.be/BY6VAy9y_iQ?si=R7c4QRE75Pauq8_H Jesus, Friend of Sinners
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 18, 2026 -- Matthew 15:10, 18-20 -- From defiled to pure

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And he [Jesus] called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person”…"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 15:10, 18-20 ESV
 
To be defiled is to be immoral, unacceptable in the presence of the LORD. The Pharisees and Scribes had come to test Jesus and wondered, out loud, in His presence, if His disciples weren’t ritually unclean because they didn’t wash their hands before eating. Jesus reveals their hypocrisy by showing them what really defiles a person, and makes him not merely ritually unclean, but unacceptable to God. A very important word of caution here. Everyone sins. The true believer in God sins, as does the unbeliever. What distinguishes the true believer from the unbeliever? It is repentance.
 
When Jesus pointed out their sin, the Pharisees and Scribes were offended by Jesus’ answer them (Matthew 15:12). The hardness of their hearts was confirmed. So, their defilement was exposed. The disciples asked more questions (Peter said, “explain the parable to us, Matthew 15:15). They sought to understand their Master, Jesus, and realized His words were exposing their sin they turned to Him.
 
What defiles you? A Christian must read these words of Jesus and thoroughly examine his heart. In the very first place, what defiles you are your evil thoughts. Notice that thoughts are at the head of the list of grievous sins. Thoughts precede action. Evil thoughts include opinions which are not founded on the Word of God but find their origin with the lies of the Devil. Evil thoughts resist examination. Evil thoughts are reinforced by the culture. By the will of a person whose way of life is out of alignment with God. Unchecked, such evil reasoning, and self-justification will lead you on a path that is destructive.
 
Non-Christians and Christians alike have evil thoughts. The Christian examines his thought-life. He rejects anything which is contrary to the Word of God. A Christian follows Jesus, by Whom his defilement has been removed. A Christian is no longer defiled, but in Christ has received righteousness, a moral purity that is not his own. At the cross Jesus was crushed for your sins. At the cross a great exchange happens: Christ is crushed by God’s wrath against sin while the Christian receives Jesus’ pure and undefiled obedience to God. When the Spirit causes the believer to see and acknowledge his sin, he confesses his sin. He is purified. He is cleansed from all unrighteousness. (See I John 1:8-10). The glory of the mercies of God and the love of Christ and the work of the Spirit all these are revealed at the cross. Sinners are set free. No wonder we hate evil thoughts. Anything, in fact, which seeks to tear us away from the lovingkindness God has shown us in Christ has become hateful to us. Instead, we cry out: “What a glorious God we serve!”
 
Father in heaven, forgive me all the times I’ve asked how close I can come to the boundary line of sin, without technically sinning (without even understanding that the question itself is sinful and evidence of evil thoughts). By the powerful work of Your Spirit in my heart, expose all my sinful thoughts and wicked reasoning, and defiled opinions so that I can confess them and receive the promised cleansing which is available in Christ. Righteous Father, forgive me for the times I longed to be purified from every defilement, have confessed my sins and been made clean in Christ—but then have withheld reconciliation from fellow Christian because I have considered their cleansing somehow inferior to my own. Ah, in such moments I see the sinfulness of sin and how deeply rooted evil thoughts are. Blessed be Your Name, Father of Love. Blessed be Your Name, Jesus, the Captain of Salvation and my Reconciler. Blessed be Your Name, Spirit of Truth and Holiness. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/ZRqvXmMYIko?si=ElQ1Cs5Nu5mjhlan Let All Things Now Living
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 17, 2026 -- Psalm 81:13-16 -- Should've, would've, could've

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

13  Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14  I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15  Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16  But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Psalm 81:13–16.
 
The Psalm opens with a rousing call to “shout for joy to the God of Jacob”. As the writer continues, he celebrates the great deliverance God brought to His people when He rescued them from their slavery in Egypt. That background then brings us to our verses today. Such mighty deliverance ought to have elicited from God’s people a response of whole-hearted praise. Instead, they bowed down to foreign gods. They didn’t acknowledge they owed all their freedom and deliverance to the Holy One. The result? The LORD of Glory “gave them over to their stubborn hearts”.
 
Then what follows is a stunning lament—God grieving over His people’s sinfulness. Had His people followed Him as they ought to have done, He would have subdued their enemies. But His people do not follow Him. They don’t credit the freedom they have to the One Who rescued them. Hatred of God is not excused by times of going to church (the people of Israel offered false worship). Hatred of God is not excused appearing to walk with other believers (the people of Israel in community paid lip service to God’s greatness but ran in the way of the godlessness).
Look how God would have blessed His people had they been faithful. He would have fed them with finest wheat—not mana on the ground, but the finest wheat. He should have satisfied His people not with water from the rock (Exodus 17:7), but honey from the rock.
 
Ah, fellow believers, where are you compromising your precious faith? Where are you confessing Jesus with your lips and rather than spending time with Him, watching TV, gaming, letting sports take precedence, or letting your love of gambling, or love for family (or insert here whatever other life-controlling issue or addiction)? What activity is tearing your time away from God and dividing your affection? Where is it in your life that you know the good you should do but the very thing you don’t want to do, you do? In view of the glorious salvation of God, in the Old Testament His salvation is deliverance from Egypt, in the New Testament, Jesus at the cross delivered us from the Egypt of our sins, we are called to offer our plans and our deeds, our goals and all our pursuits to Him.
 
Integrity means wholeness. Not divided parts offered to the world but most of our parts to God. No! We give God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit what is right, not what is left over.
 
Spirit of the Living God, I confess how many things pull at me, seeking to distract, to divide my attention, and if I am fully honest, there are many times I know the good I should do, but I chase after what is deadly to my soul. Spirit of Truth, reveal the depths of my waywardness to my conscious mind, then give me holy courage to cut out of my life all that wilfully pulls me away from holy service to God. Let my life be a shout of thankfulness for the great salvation God has shown me in Christ. Let others see a believer of integrity walking with God and let my wholeness and holiness be so compellingly attractive that they too will desire to know Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/o-ImfnUqWxg?si=twpfrmryXe5Kfd_d All Praise to Him
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 16, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:15 -- Hey, what path are you on?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15 ESV
 
The way of a fool means that a fool’s impulses, plans, and steps are out of alignment with God’s ways. The reason is clear. The fool is a man or woman who says in his heart there is no God. A fool might also be one who claims there is a God but then lives as if God’s existence doesn’t matter. Keep in mind that King Solomon wrote these words. He himself became a fool as his heart was led astray by his wives and concubines.
 
To be right in one’s own eyes is to be self conceited. It was a strikingly emotional moment when a man who is incarcerated turned to me and quietly said, “I can’t keep on doing what I’m doing.” This man, who is a “frequent flyer” (regularly incarcerated), turned to me and noted he’d been in the SHU (Special Holding Unit, or segregation). He had time to think while he was there, and he realized showing up at the Bible studies was teaching him something new. After his time separated from all the other men, I noticed there was a new purposefulness in his attendance at Bible Study. His self-conceit had been broken. There is a crack in the godless foundation of his life, and the Spirit of the Lord is breaking in.
 
A wise man acknowledges God exists. A wise man is humble enough to be instructed in the Word of the LORD. A wise man in the Old Testament is one who realized the system of sacrifices pointed to an ultimate sacrifice. A wise man (or woman) in the New Testament era and beyond, is one who knows Jesus is that full, final sacrifice for our sins. A wise man, having been purified from his sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness, will in turn ask the Spirit of God to guide him in all that is good, holy, and pleasing to the LORD. It is the love of God that compels him to know God more fully. And it is a self-perpetuating cycle, the more one knows God, the more of God one wants to know.
 
O LORD You are my salvation!
I will trust in You and not be afraid of the opinions of others, or the pressures of an ungodly world, or the screams of hell’s demons sent to waylay me. You, O LORD are my strength and my song. You, O LORD, show Your glorious salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the Spirit, I draw water from the wells of salvation. Through the Spirit I receive the wise instruction that guides me in the way of salvation. I sing praises to You, O God, for great and glorious is Your Name. Spirit of God, magnify Jesus to my heart, my imagination and my plans, so that serving Him becomes a joyful duty. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/BXWvis6Xk1w?si=1AKnc2YIWZWksi10 Jesus, Thank You
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 14, 2026 -- Matthew 14:34-36 -- Unable to stop telling others

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Matthew 14:34-36 ESV
 
Notice that the men of Gennesaret recognized Jesus. The original language signifies that the men of that region had likely heard Jesus speak before. That makes sense, Gennesaret is just a few miles from Capernaum. So, there is little doubt the men of Gennesaret had heard Jesus before. Or they knew Him by reputation. What they knew of Jesus was so electrifying to them, they sent around to all that region to alert people: “Jesus is here.”
 
I want to rest on that for a moment. I wonder if we, as a little gathering, have that same zeal, or enthusiasm for Jesus? Whatever it is we know of Jesus, it is enough to have us invite anyone we know to come to church? Perhaps to compel your friends to join us on Wednesdays? Whatever it is you know of Jesus, is it enough to cause us to want others to know Him as well?! If not, then what is your picture of Jesus? Reexamine it. The Bible shows that anyone who has met Jesus immediately either hates Him, or feels so drawn to Jesus that they tell others and invite others.
 
Sometimes we think we need to know the whole Bible, all the theological issues and be thoroughly educated about Jesus before we tell anyone about Him. The Bible shows us something radically different. With whatever knowledge men or women have, they rush out and invite others to see Jesus. They invite others to come see Him and hear Him.
 
Father in heaven, how great and wondrous is the salvation love You have lavished on us in Jesus Christ! Forgive us for the hoarding greediness by which we keep this wonderful news to ourselves. Or selfish attitude which closes the door to people who are not like us. Spirit of the Living God, cause us to recklessly invite people from the East and the West, the North and the South so that they too will feast at the banqueting table our Father has spread for us in Christ and they will also be transformed by our Savior-King. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/vz-FkqobgXY?si=gCGPgyujgf5CdfC4 Tell Out My Soul
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 11, 2026 -- Acts 10:24 -- Prepared to Testify

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. Acts 10:24 ESV
 
Cornelius was not a Jewish man. He was an outsider to the Jewish people. Yet, many Jewish men spoke well of him. Obviously, they’d taught Cornelius to pray to God. To give alms. But he was not a Christian. In a vision, Cornelius was told to send for Peter. Peter, to this point a devout Jew who’d never entered an unclean house, that is, a house of non-Jewish man. Peter was prompted by the Spirit of God to go to Caesarea and witness to Cornelius.
 
What intrigues me are these facts.

• God shows no favoritism—He will send missionaries and prophets far and wide to collect His people to Himself.

• Cornelius is so excited about God that even before he is a Christian he is sending for his family and his close friends to hear Peter.

• God had long been at work in Cornelius’ life. Many, men and women, put into Cornelius' life by God, influenced him long before Peter ever walked in.

• Peter preached a brief sermon (at least in Acts it is brief) and Cornelius is radically saved.

• The Holy Spirit falls on him and his family and close friends—all who heard the word. Exciting.

• Peter was part of a long line of people God had sent to prepare Cornelius (and his family and close friends) to receive the Good News. What may have seemed sudden to Peter was in fact, the end goal of God’s long work of sending man before Peter.

 
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Do not be discouraged if, when you speak of Jesus, your listeners do not, like Cornelius and his family and friends, immediately receive Jesus with joy. You may be person three of the fifty or so people required to testify to Jesus, before the person in front of you will finally give himself to Jesus. Preach the word. Live for Jesus. Love the people God has put into your path.
 
Truly, O God, I understand You don’t show favoritism. You save men and women from many languages, tribes, peoples, and nations. Blessed be Your Name forevermore. Father, send me to speak as a witness to Jesus; by Your Holy Spirit, give me the boldness to speak and the discernment to know how little or much to say. Triune God, bring in the full number of Your people so that Your glory and Your renown will spread over this earth. In my own life, let Your praises shine forth. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/mgVS1W9nbO0?si=KRmFXC59Nq_m3ES5 The Ends of All the Earth Shall Hear
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 10, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:14 -- True Satisfaction

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. Proverbs 12:14 ESV
 
Two verses before this one, Solomon inspired by the Spirit wrote, “the root of the righteous bears fruit”. As New Testament Christians we know a believer who is grafted into Christ, the root and the true Vine, will bear fruit. According to Galatians, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a). Solomon’s own life reveals how elusive such life-long fruit-bearing can be.
 
Solomon was blessed by God with wisdom, great wealth and peace, but he was not satisfied with such good from God His Savior. He went on to marry 700 wives (all princesses) and he had 300 hundred concubines, all these women led his heart astray. To please his wives, he built temples to honour pagan demons and his wives made sacrifices to them. It was so vile, the Bible records: “he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” I Kings 11:6). The work of his hand came back to him and his work proved to be rotten fruit.
 
Why mention this? If Solomon, who was granted great wisdom can fall away from God with such terrible consequences, we, ordinary men and women, must guard our lips and command our bodies to be obedient. Our hands must work at what is good. With intentionality. With accountability. With constant self-examination in the strength of the Spirit doing so by the light of Scripture. Aware how quickly a believer can move from being godly to being fruitless and doing what is evil in the sight of the LORD. Fruit bearing requires pruning away unfruitful branches. Fruit-bearing requires whole-hearted devotion to the LORD.
 
Be encouraged, dear fellow Christians, the LORD our God has given to us new life in Christ. The Father and the Son have poured out the Holy Spirit so that we will be led in the way everlasting. God has provided you with brothers and sisters in Christ who can pray for you, call you back from sinful ways, and join you in worship which re-orients the soul from self-absorption to being once again fully satiated in Jesus, the soul’s delight.
 
O MY LORD,
Forgive me for serving thee in sinful ways –
by glorying in my own strength,
by forcing myself to minister through necessity,
by accepting the applause of others,
by trusting in assumed grace and spiritual affection,
by a faith that rests upon my hold on Christ not on him alone,
by having another foundation to stand upon beside thee;
for thus I make flesh my arm.
Help me to see
that it is faith stirred by grace that does the deed,
that faith brings a man nearer to thee, raising him above mere man,
that thou dost act upon the soul when thus elevated and lifted out of itself,
that faith centers in thee as God all-sufficient,
Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
as God efficient,
mediately, as in thy commands and promises,
immediately, in all the hidden power
that faith sees and knows to be in thee,
abundantly, with omnipotent effect,
in the revelation of thy will.
If I have not such faith I am nothing.
It is my duty to set thee above all others in mind and eye;
But it is my sin that I place myself above thee.
Lord, it is the special evil of sin
that every breach of thy law arises
from contempt of thy Person,
from despising thee and thy glory,
from preferring things before thee.
Help me to abhor myself in comparison of thee,
And keep me in a faith that works by love,
and serves by grace.
 
“Vain Service”. The Valley of Vision. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Banner of Truth Trust: Carlisle, PA, 2020, page 330
 
https://youtu.be/7tElvdnId4Q?si=iRuIZ1HV6ZTSYhTS All My Hope
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 8, 2026 -- Proverbs 12:13 -- Escape

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble. Proverbs 12:13 ESV
 
In verse 12 the wicked were in view, now there is a subtle shift and a parallel person, the evil man, is the focus. The evil man is unclean, repugnant to God. Such a man may be perfectly acceptable in secular society. Though his words and deeds are abomination in the sight of God, his words and deeds fit into the world’s waywardness and vile rebellion against God.
 
An evil man may perceive himself as good. He may believe in his causes and be sincere in his desire for good as it is defined by the secular gods of this age. However, his words ensnare him. It is imagery used about bird catchers. The evil man’s words weave a net that catches out his own lies. He acts as though nothing were wrong, though spiritually his arms are pinned to his sides, and he is going down to the grave and then to hell. In the book of the Exodus, Pharoah’s advisors called out to Pharoah the fact that Moses was a snare to the Egyptian people. The more Pharoah disregarded the words of the LORD, the more Egypt was caught up in the net of God’s judgment (Exodus 10:7). The result of disobedience is that Egypt was ruined.
 
There is another word in this proverb which is closely associated with the Exodus. But this time the word is linked to the righteous. Those who are God-fearers come out of, that is, they escape trouble. It is used in Exodus, on the evening before Israel is delivered from Egypt, they are commanded “Remember this day in which you came out of (escaped) Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out of this place” (Exodus 13:3). When Israel escaped Egypt, they were delivered not because of their righteousness, not because they were better than the Egyptians. Oh no way! It is because the LORD set His favor on His people.
 
The LORD acted in mercy towards those who were themselves snared in slavery. It is the work of Jesus which is captured in this brief proverb. The evil man and the righteous man are both ensnared, caught in sin. The evil man, by his words and life, weaves an ever-stronger net binding himself to his hateful acts against God. The righteous man is not good, or better than the evil man. The difference is prayer. In the Exodus, just before God acted, it is recorded: “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:24-25). The people of God cry out to Him. They groan because their own wickedness and the snares of sin are like slavery in Egypt—they are captured and the impulses of sin drive them to habits of sin that are even greater and viler. God heard. God broke the chains of their slavery. God rescued.
 
Jesus is our escape from Egypt, our Exodus story. For the sake of Jesus, God hears our cries, our helplessness, our panicky howling at the snares we’ve gotten ourselves into. Jesus breaks the curse of sin by becoming sin at the cross and enduring God’s punishment against sin on our behalf. While He bore our sin, His righteousness was granted to us. That is why the righteous escapes from trouble, Jesus went into the places where we were ensnared, and was trapped in our place, crucified, so that in Him we escaped the wrath of God. We now walk by the light of God’s grace. Since the punishment for the crime of our sins, past, present, and future have been paid in full, we are stamped with the righteousness of Jesus. Our sins can’t be punished twice. Jesus paid it all. Now, walk in the holiness Jesus won for you.
 
Mighty God, O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord Jesus,
that faith may adhere to Him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself round Him more tightly,
that His Spirit may pervade every fibre of my being.
Then send me out to make Him known to my fellow-men. Amen.
Excerpt from the prayer “Humility in Service” The Valley of Vision, page 327.
 
https://youtu.be/f30KtH7SFLg?si=08gtq8dWD6BKBhUC Jesus Paid It All
 

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